When to Double Down in Blackjack

Being successful in blackjack relies on strategy – but winning big in blackjack is a matter of timing and knowing the right time to double down. Doubling down is a thrilling move and one of the best-known bets in blackjack. But surprisingly, many people don’t understand the ins and outs of the move and how timing plays an important role. You can find yourself upping your winnings, big time when done correctly.

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What exactly is doubling down? In short and sweet terms, it’s when you double your bet in the middle of a hand (equal to your ante) in return for only one extra card. Yep, it’s risky. But it can also increase your payout. For the risk to pay off, you must double down when you have the advantage against the dealer.

When You Should Double Down

The whole point of playing blackjack is to win against the dealer. If you think you have a statistical advantage, that’s your shot! In general, certain hands are better to take advantage of, like:

When the total of your cards equals 11

This is the most popular and well-known time to double down in blackjack. That’s because there’s a good chance that if you’re showing an eleven, one more card could hit blackjack – or get close to it. Or, at the very least, you won’t break 21. This is why so many people double down when their total cards equal 11.

With a hard 9 or 10

A “hard” hand is one with no ace (sigh). If you find yourself in this situation, it’s a good opportunity to double down if the dealer is showing a lower card. If it’s in the cards, you’re putting yourself in a pretty good situation to win against the dealer.

When you are showing a soft 16,17 or 18

The term “soft” refers to a hand where you have an ace plus another card. It’s common knowledge when playing blackjack that an ace can be a real winner because it increases your statistical chances of hitting or getting very close to 21. But don’t get too confident when you see that all-important ace. It’s a good rule of thumb to only double down in this situation when, once again, the dealer is showing a lower card.

When Not To Double Down

Doubling down is a thrill – we get it. But too frequently, double downing because of the urge to increase your win can backfire. There are some instances where it’s a bad idea, and you’ll lose a lot of money quickly. Yikes. Times to not double down include:

When The Dealer Has An Ace

An ace is a pretty powerful card in your hand when you’re playing blackjack, which is why you should never double down if the dealer is showing one! The odds are in their favor to hit blackjack or get very close to 21.

If You Have A Hard Hand That’s Higher Than 11

Unfortunately, if you have a hard hand higher than 11, your chances of going bust are too high to risk doubling down. If you’re unsure, holding back and not taking the risk is better.

More Blackjack Double Down Tips and Tricks

Know when to double down or when to stick with your initial bet with these extra tips and tricks:

• If and when you’re ready to take the risk, signal your double down by pushing a stack of chips (the same amount as your initial bet) next to your current wager. Avoid putting the new chips on top of the initial amount, as this can tamper with your bet. Remember, your double-down bet must always match your initial bet amount.
• For most people, particularly those newer to blackjack, double down when showing an 11 is almost always a good idea.
• Typically, you will not be allowed to double down after splitting. Splitting is when you receive two cards of the same value, and you can split those cards into two separate hands and receive two new cards from the dealer. Some online casinos may allow you to, but most in-person casinos will not.
• You cannot double down after hitting. Hitting is to take another card. Doubling down is a move that is only allowed after the initial two cards have been dealt.

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